Channel NewsAsia 5 Dec 09;
SINGAPORE: Pet owners are being offered subsidised sterilisation for their cats and dogs in an effort to reduce unwanted puppies and kittens.
The "Desex in the City" campaign is organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), in collaboration with veterinary clinics.
During the month of December, pet owners can look forward to a 20 per cent subsidy in sterilisation costs of their pet dogs and cats at participating veterinary clinics.
Deirdre Moss, executive officer of SPCA, shared: "The SPCA understands that sterilisation is considered costly by many cat and dog owners, and hopes that the subsidy will encourage more pet owners to be socially responsible.
"The more pets that are sterilised, the more it will help in reducing the surplus number of unwanted animals in Singapore."
Every year, the SPCA takes in approximately 8,000 unwanted animals.
For the past 18 years, the organisation has also distributed free sterilisation vouchers, which enable people to have stray animals sterilised at selected veterinary clinics, with the costs borne by SPCA.
Currently, a budget of more than S$4,800 per month is set aside for this free service.
The benefits of sterilisation go beyond unwanted breeding. For pets, health issues such as mammary or testicular cancers are minimised.
Owners will also have less behavioural problems with their pets, such as roaming or territorial marking and guarding. There is no yowling of cats in season and no cleaning up after the twice-yearly oestrus cycle in dogs.
The sterilisation campaign is supported by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and the Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA), alongside participating vet clinics.
"Being a responsible pet owner means more than just providing a safe, secure environment for your pet. It is more than preventing straying and cleaning up after walks, and more than just feeding a good quality diet.
"It also means ensuring that your pet – male or female – does not contribute to the numbers of unwanted animals. It's about responsibility for your pets and to your community," said Dr Shane Ryan, president of SVA.
- CNA/so
